Italy Offers Wide Variety of Wine Styles and Flavors

Earlier this month I attended a wine tasting at the Zephyr Bistro in Bellingham that featured several wines from Italy. What impressed me most about the tasting was the wide array of styles and flavors that were offered; there was literally something to suit everyone’s tastes.

Here are my notes on some of the wines I sampled:

2003 Ciccariello Frascati (about $9): This crisp, white wine makes a wonderful aperitif with touches of citrus and a bone dry finish.

nullN/V Prosecco Terra Serena (Pictured at left; about $15): A wonderfully complex sparkling wine with hints of peach, pear, apple and a whisper of sweetness on the finish.

2003 Le Morge Montepulciano D’Abruzzo (about $12): This red wine has lots of berry flavors and a slightly tart finish of pie cherries accentuated by subtle smoky notes.

2002 Sabucina Nero D’Avola Ducenzio (about $15): A dense, chewy red with dark plum and sun-dried raisin fruit flavors that melt into a lengthy finish.

2002 Chianti Uccelliera (about $16): This blend of 80 percent Sangiovese and 20 percent Cabernet displays hints of cherry, cedar and sweet spices. Delicious!

N/V Negro Brachetto Birbet (about $21): This incredibly unique, slightly effervescent pale red wine nearly defies description. It’s similar to an ice wine without the heavy sugar and only contains 5 percent alcohol. Floral aromas are followed with generous strawberry and honeysuckle flavors and an ultra-long, creamy finish.

In addition to the Zephyr Bistro, you should also be able to find many of these wines at the Bellingham Food Pavilion. If the wines are not in stock, be sure to ask for them by name and they can be special ordered to meet your needs.

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